Fraser Institute
The Fraser Institute is a libertarian -conservative think-tank ( think tank ), headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
The institute was founded in 1974 by Michael Walker and deals with issues of economy, society and environment. It propagates a stability-oriented fiscal policy and economic competition without restrictions. It calls for a better integration with the U.S. economy and privatization, as well as the relaxation of the weapons law and the legalization of marijuana. The main criticisms are excessive government spending, budget deficits, high taxes and government action against global warming. Among other things, the Institute published annually since 1996 in the Economic Freedom of the World Report. The support of the tobacco industry and the defamation of scientific studies on the risks of smoking brought the Fraser Institute sharp criticism as well as his campaigns against minimum wage legislation.
The Fraser Institute is registered as a charitable organization and is funded by donations and membership fees. The funders include ExxonMobil, Imperial Oil, Procter & Gamble and the Thomson Corporation. Branches of the Institute are located in Calgary and Toronto.